God’s Man Proclaiming God’s Word

INTRODUCTION: The phrase “the word of the LORD” occurs ten times in this chapter. This compares with the Ten Commandments and the ten times “God said” in Genesis, chapter one. This chapter is about the power and importance of the word of God.

It also deals with the “man of God.” This phrase is found fifteen times in this chapter in reference to the young prophet sent to proclaim God’s judgment on the pagan altar of Jeroboam. This shows us that the preacher’s responsibility is greater than most preachers realize. His greatest responsibility is absolute obedience to the word of God. Our problem is not one of faith, but one of submission. This submission must be to the words of God.

1. THE MESSAGE OF THE MAN OF GOD (1 Kings 13:1-3)
1. The Authority of His Message (1 Kings 13:1)
1. He came by the word of the LORD.
2. He came out of Judah.
3. He came to Bethel where Jeroboam had set up a golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-29; Amos 3:14).
4. Note: The name of the man of God is never given. This illustrates that it is never supposed to be about the man of God, but the God who called that man.
2. The Contents of His Message (1 Kings 13:2-3)
1. The origin of His words (1 Kings 13:2)
1. He cried in the word of the LORD.
2. This means the words were not of his choosing, but they were the Lords words (2 Samuel 23:2; Jeremiah 1:9; 2 Peter 1:21).
2. The prophecy delivered (1 Kings 13:2)
1. Josiah will be born.
1. Prophesied at least 250 years before Josiah was born
2. Prophesied by name; compare the prophecy concerning Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1-4).
2. The altar will be desecrated.
3. The sign confirming the word (1 Kings 13:3; Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 1:22)
1. The altar will be rent.
2. The ashes will be poured out.
2. THE POWER OF THE MAN OF GOD (1 Kings 13:4-10)
1. Power to Perform Miracles (1 Kings 13:4-6)
1. The threat by Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:4)
1. Jeroboam put forth his hand from the altar and called for the arrest of the man of God.
2. Jeroboams hand dried up.
2. The fulfillment of prophecy (1 Kings 13:5)
1. The altar was rent.
2. The ashes poured out from the altar
3. The restoration of Jeroboams hand (1 Kings 13:6)
1. Jeroboam asked for prayer.
2. God answered the prayer of the man of God.
2. Power to Overcome Temptation (1 Kings 13:7-10)
1. Jeroboam offered hospitality and reward to the man of God (1 Kings 13:7).
2. The man of God refused Jeroboams offer (1 Kings 13:8-10).
1. No matter the amount of Jeroboams offer, the man of God must refuse (1 Kings 13:8).
2. This was a charge given to him of the Lord (1 Kings 13:9).
3. The man of God departed as the Lord had instructed (1 Kings 13:10).
3. THE TEMPTATION OF THE MAN OF GOD (1 Kings 13:11-18)
1. The Curiosity of an Old Prophet (1 Kings 13:11-12)
1. The old prophet dwelt in Bethel (1 Kings 13:11).
1. If he dwelt in Bethel, the place of the other prophets prophecy, why didnt he give the message of judgment from the Lord?
2. This would lead us to believe that there was something wrong with this prophet.
2. The old prophet heard of the power and message of the man of God (1 Kings 13:11).
3. The old prophet inquired of the location of the man of God (1 Kings 13:12).
2. The Invitation of the Old Prophet (1 Kings 13:13-15)
1. He went after the man of God (1 Kings 13:13-14).
2. He found the man of God sitting under an oak tree (1 Kings 13:14); perhaps he was resting when he should have been running.
3. He invited the man of God to come home with him (1 Kings 13:15).
3. The Refusal of the Man of God (1 Kings 13:16-17)
1. He informed the old prophet that he could not do so (1 Kings 13:16).
2. He told the old prophet of Gods charge (1 Kings 13:17).
4. The Lie of the Old Prophet (1 Kings 13:18)
1. He claimed that he and the man of God were fellowlabourers.
2. He claimed to have received a message from an angel (see Galatians 1:8).
3. He claimed that the man of God was supposed to come home with him.
4. THE FALL OF THE MAN OF GOD (1 Kings 13:19-34)
1. He Went with the Old Prophet (1 Kings 13:19).
1. The man of God fulfilled Gods word in every detailexcept one.
2. He preached boldly, prophesied accurately, proclaimed Gods judgment, planned absolute obedience, and put in action every detail of Gods word.
3. But he failed in one major detail. Success in one area of our life does not excuse disobedience in another area of our life.
2. He Received a Message of Judgment for Disobedience (1 Kings 13:20-22).
1. The old prophet received word from the Lord (1 Kings 13:20).
2. The old prophet told him of his disobedience (1 Kings 13:21-22).
3. The old prophet told of his judgment (1 Kings 13:22).
3. He Died Leaving (1 Kings 13:23-24).
1. He left the home of the old prophet (1 Kings 13:23).
2. A lion slew him and stood by the body (1 Kings 13:24).
4. He Was Buried by the Old Prophet (1 Kings 13:25-31).
1. The old prophet told of the man of Gods disobedience (1 Kings 13:25-26).
2. The old prophet buried the man of God (1 Kings 13:27-30).
3. The old prophet called him brother and desired to be buried beside him (1 Kings 13:30-31).
5. He Was Outlasted (1 Kings 13:32-34).
1. By the word of God (1 Kings 13:32)
2. By the sin of Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:33-34)

CONCLUSION: The man of God failed to complete his mission, but the words of God will not fail. God’s word always accomplishes His pleasure (Isaiah 55:11).